the speculative theologians. The earliest predecessors—may Allah be pleased with them—neither denied direction nor spoke in such terms. Rather, they and the people at large affirmed it for Allah Most High, as His Book states and His messengers have reported. None of the righteous predecessors denied that He truly rose over His Throne. He singled out the Throne in this regard because it is the greatest of His creations. What they did not know was how He rose over it, for its true nature is not known, as Mālik—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

‘Rising over the Throne is known; its manner is unknown; and asking about this is an innovation.’

The same was said by